SSAT Upper Level Verbal : Synonyms

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for SSAT Upper Level Verbal

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Example Questions

Example Question #726 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

CELESTIAL

Possible Answers:

Cosmic

Capacious

Macabre

Regal

Spectral

Correct answer:

Cosmic

Explanation:

"Celestial" means "cosmic" and particularly pertains to stars. "Spectral" means ghostly. "Regal" means royal and stately. "Capacious" means spacious or palatial.

Example Question #727 : Synonyms: Adjectives And Adverbs

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

PARAMOUNT

Possible Answers:

Of equivalent importance

Of little importance

Empirical

Vital

Proportional

Correct answer:

Vital

Explanation:

"Paramount" means of utmost importance, "vital," or integral. "Empirical" means able to be measured or based in evidence rather than, say, logic or intuition. "Proportional" means commensurate, corresponding.

Example Question #1481 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

TANTAMOUNT

Possible Answers:

Equivalent

Crucial

Conjectural

Admonishing

Squeamish

Correct answer:

Equivalent

Explanation:

Unlike "paramount," which means crucial, "tantamount" simply means equivalent to. To "admonish" is to warn or chastise someone. "Conjectural" is a synonym for "speculative" or hypothetical. "Squeamish" means easily nauseated, queasy.

Example Question #1482 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

FEBRILE

Possible Answers:

Crucial

Torpid

Archaic

Tacit

Feverish

Correct answer:

Feverish

Explanation:

"Febrile" is another word for "feverish." While someone who is "feverish" may be "torpid," or sluggish, the two words are not necessarily synonymous. "Crucial" means vital, essential. "Tacit" is a synonym for "unspoken." "Archaic" means outdated, antiquated.

Example Question #1483 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

PRIMAL

Possible Answers:

Banal

Tantamount

Fundamental

Trite

Tangential

Correct answer:

Fundamental

Explanation:

"Primal" can mean "fundamental" or primitive, depending on the context. "Tantamount" means equivalent, and "tangential" is a synonym for "barely relevant." "Banal" and "trite" are synonyms for extremely boring.

Example Question #1484 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

PRIMORDIAL

Possible Answers:

Ancient

Laconic

Nomadic

Propitious

Auspicious

Correct answer:

Ancient

Explanation:

"Primordial" means "ancient" and primitive. "Ribald" means rude, irreverent. "Propitious" and "auspicious" both mean favorable. "Laconic" is a synonym for "terse" and "pithy." "Nomadic" means wandering from place to place.

Example Question #1485 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

ANDROGYNOUS

Possible Answers:

Refined

Adroit

Gauche

Maritime

Unisex

Correct answer:

Unisex

Explanation:

"Androgynous" means "unisex" or having characteristics of both the male and female genders. "Gauche" means tasteless or inelegant, which is an antonym for "refined." "Adroit" means skillful and adept. "Maritime" is a synonym for "nautical."

Example Question #1486 : Identifying Synonyms

Select the answer choice that is closest in meaning to the word in capital letters.

UNCONSCIONABLE

Possible Answers:

Salutary

Pleonastic

Vicarious

Verbose

Unethical

Correct answer:

Unethical

Explanation:

"Unconscionable" means indefensible, immoral, and "unethical." "Pleonastic" and "verbose" both mean excessively wordy. "Vicarious" is a synonym for "secondhand," and "salutary" means very healthful.

Example Question #1 : Synonyms: Adverbs

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

VEHEMENTLY

Possible Answers:

passionately

truthfully

reluctantly

rapidly

calmly

Correct answer:

passionately

Explanation:

"Vehemently" means with strong feeling or passion.

Example Question #2 : Synonyms: Adverbs

Choose the best synonym for the word in capital letters.

MERELY

Possible Answers:

maliciously

solely

disappointing

politely

trifling

Correct answer:

solely

Explanation:

"Merely" is an adverb meaning just, only, or solely.

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